Several reports are swirling around the internet about the trade talks, but here is the latest information that is believed to be true, as told by several front office sources, and people who are familiar with the way the Phillies brass handles such situations: Read the rest of this entry »

Jeff Blair says in a Saturday evening post, “Know this: Halladay has told people that the Phillies are his preferred choice if he were to be traded. The Blue Jays want pitchers J.A. Happ and Kyle Drabek and one of two outfield prospects: Michael Taylor or Dominic Brown. Shortstop Jason Donald would be nice, too and the Blue Jays might expand the deal if they need to do so.”

PCPTAKE: Nice to hear that the Phils are Halladay’s preferred destination. Despite being a near playoff lock and defending World Series Champions, some players (Jake Peavy) with a no trade close would reject a trade to the Phils’ because of the ballpark. As for the Jays asking price, too high. I can’t see including both Happ and Drabek together (personally, I can’t see giving up Drabek at all).

Sources are indicating that the Phillies and Blue Jays have indeed begun discussing the parameters of a deal that would bring Roy Halladay to the Phillies for a package headlined by Kyle Drabek. The other pieces reportedly being discussed are J.A. Happ and Dominic Brown. J.A. is of course on the major league roster, while Dom Brown is currently playing for the Clearwater Threshers in the Florida State League and Drabek is in Reading. Toronto GM J.P. Ricciardi has been quoted as saying these negotiations have begun. More info on this story as it develops.

Side Note: It is also being reported that the Blue Jays have scouts watching Carlos Carrasco pitch tonight for the Lehigh Valley Iron Pigs. This is notable because the players i mentioned above are the starting point and by no means definite. Let’s see how this develops.

SI.com’s Jon Heyman is reporting that the Philadelphia Phillies are refusing to part with Kyle Drabek as part of a package to acquire Toronto Blue Jays ace Roy Halladay. Says Heyman, “The latest word from a source familiar with Philadelphia’s thinking is that the front-running Phillies have decided they will not include top pitching prospect Kyle Drabek in a four-player package for superstar pitcher Roy Halladay, perhaps raising the chances that Halladay will be dealt elsewhere or maybe even stay with the Jays. The Phillies are believed to have told Toronto of their Drabek decision, but if they haven’t yet they will inform the Jays very soon. Read the rest of this entry »

Hal McCoy of the Dayton Daily News had the following to say in a recent Q&A:Q “I know you’re a Hall of Famer, but I have you scooped on this one. Since the Reds are designated for the scrap heap they will put Harangatang and A-yo-yo on the trading block. Agree?” — Roger, Louisville, Ky.A “If you tell me to which team and for which players I’ll give you full credit. I assume Harangatang is Aaron Harang and A-yo-yo is Bronson Arroyo? If the Reds nose dive before the July 31 trade deadline it wouldn’t surprise me if one of those is traded for prospects. Harang, Mr. Hard Luck, has struggled to win for two years and Arroyo, indeed, is a yo-yo — up and down, up and down. He, too, could go for good prospects.”
Prior to Roy Halladay’s name surfacing in trade circles, I had mentioned many times that I feel Harang would be a great fit for the Phillies. He already pitches in a bandbox, eats innings like it’s nobody’s business, and has posted incredible numbers considering his home park. Is he Halladay, no, but if he becomes available then he’s not a bad second option. In addition, adding another front line starter to the trade block could only strengthen the Phils’ position in dealing for Halladay. The more guys that become available, the lower the asking price. Basic rules of supply and demand.

Adam Rubin of The NY Daily News has spoken to a source that claims the New York Mets are going to release righthander Tim Redding. Though Redding has been atrocious this year (7.22 ERA), the Phils should sign him to a minor league deal just so they don’t have to face him. Over the past two years, between Washington and New York, Redding has started 6 games against the Phils, going 35 innings with a 2.50 ERA. That includes last year’s opener at Citizen’s Bank Park in which Redding threw 7 shutout innings giving up just 1 hit.

According to Ken Rosenthal, the Brewers may be a dark horse in the Roy Halladay sweepstakes. The Blue Jays apparently have a giant man crush on shortstop prospect Alcides Escobar but likely don’t have the pitching prospects to complete the deal. Another hurdle is that Halladay may not be willing to accept a trade to Milwaukee.

Rosenthal also says that Dodgers manager Joe Torre has “made it clear he wants Roy Halladay.” The problems is that the Jays are insisting on Clayton Kershaw and that is simply not going to happen.

Former Blue Jays assistant GM Bart Given, who was fired in January of 2009 due to some finacial problems that the Blue Jays were having, joined us on the Sports Bash on 97.3 ESPN FM in South Jersey today to discuss plenty of topics including the inter-workings of the Blue Jays front office, discussions of trading Roy Halladay this off season, if the Phillies have enough to make a deal with the Jays and much more in a very insightful, must listen to interview.

Yesterday, I mused about the possibility of the Philadelphia Phillies acquiring Roy Halladay. Today, the dream seems a bit closer to reality. Here are the most recent comments from Blue Jays GM J.P. Ricciardi, “We have to see what’s out there. I’m not saying we’re going to shop him. But if something makes sense, we at least have to listen. We’re (leaning) more toward listening than we’ve ever been.” Ken Rosenthal of Fox Sports believes these recent comments are a clear indication that the Roy Halladay sweepstakes have begun. Says Rosenthal, “Once this process starts, it’s almost impossible to stop. Rest assured, the Jays are assembling prospect lists and preparing to assign their scouts to investigate rival farm systems. Halladay is a goner. It’s just a matter of when and where.”

Early rumblings have the Phillies and Brewers being the favorites in the race for Roy. Both teams have made no secret of their desire for a front line pitcher. Both have top level prospects. Most significantly for the Jays, both are in the National League.

UPDATE: Jon Heyman of SI.com has chimed in on “The Race For Roy,” twitting that if Halladay is really available, he believes the Yankees and Phils would be the frontrunners, followed by the Angels.